An Air Force-backed augmented-reality company plans to demonstrate airborne technology in November that it says could do away with Red Air training. Red 6 Aerospace’s software simulates enemies that pilots can fight during live flights. Rather than hooking up users to a closed, indoor system, the simulation works outside and adjusts as the user moves, according to creator Dan Robinson. He argues the invention can stop the Air Force’s dependence on expensive, traditional simulators and adversary air contracts while freeing up Red Air pilots for other missions. But some within the service caution there’s still more to learn about augmented and virtual reality systems. Read the full story by Rachel S. Cohen.

Air Force acquisition chief Will Roper stood up a new program executive office for Advanced Aircraft at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio on Oct. 2. The new organization will focus solely on the rapid development and production of new combat aircraft that will complement the F-22 and F-35 in the air superiority role, a program previously known as Next-Generation Air Dominance. The new office will apply what Roper has described as the “Digital Century Series” approach, using agile software development, modularity and digital design to swiftly build, test, and field up to 100 aircraft at a time before moving on to a new platform. Read the full story by John A. Tirpak.

A restored B-17G Flying Fortress, nicknamed “Nine-O-Nine,” crashed the morning of Oct. 2 at the Bradley International Airport outside Hartford, Conn., killing multiple people. The World War II-era B-17 was restored and operated by the nonprofit Collings Foundation as part of its educational Wings of Freedom Tour. Thirteen people were aboard—three crew members and 10 passengers—at the time of the crash. The Associated Press reported midday Oct. 2 that at least five people died in the crash. Read the full story by Brian Everstine.

Army Gen. Mark Milley, in his first message to service members as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, outlined his key priorities of increasing readiness and ensuring the military improves its joint operations. “Today, we face a complex and volatile global security environment with a wide range of challenges,” Milley wrote in the Oct. 1 message. “We will meet those challenges and we stand ready to keep the peace, and, if necessary, win the war on the land, at sea, in the air, in space, and cyberspace.” His priorities include: sustaining values, improving joint warfighting readiness, developing and empowering a future joint force and its leaders, and taking care of people and families. “It is the honor of a lifetime to continue to serve alongside of you to ensure this experiment in liberty is passed to the next generation,” Milley wrote. —Brian Everstine

The Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Air National Guard says he’s “cautiously optimistic” about the effect recent suicide prevention discussions are having across the Guard force, as the component continues to hold those talks over the next few months. Air Force leaders earlier this year ordered wings to stop most operations for a day to talk about mental health and personal resilience, facing a suicide epidemic that, as of mid-September, had taken the lives of 100 airmen in 2019. Though the Active Duty Air Force wrapped up its daylong stand-downs last month, ANG has until December to hold its “Resilience Tactical Pause” days. Read the full story by Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory.

Air Force Global Strike Command early Oct. 2 launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., in a test the command says was planned long in advance. The test launch, handled by a crew from the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., took place at 1:13 a.m. local time. It took place shortly after North Korea fired what was likely a submarine-based ballistic missile. Read the full story by Brian Everstine.